Dalton makes Triple-A debut for Salt Lake Bees

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Former Roadrunners standout third baseman Ryan Dalton made his Triple-A debut for the Salt Lake Bees last Sunday.

Dalton started at catcher and went 0-for-3 in playing all nine innings against the Tucson Padres. He also threw out a runner attempting to steal second base in the sixth.

"I thought I swung the bat well," Dalton told The Salt Lake Tribune after the game. "I was a little jittery, a little antsy, but I was able to settle down."

"He's still a little green behind the ears, but he did a great job today," Bees manager Keith Johnson said. "I thought he handled himself really well. Even at the plate, I thought he put together some pretty good at-bats."

Dalton, who was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 18th round of the 2012 Major League First-Year Player Draft, spent last summer with the organization's Rookie League team in Arizona and started this season in extended spring training.

The Sugar Land native played three years at third base for UTSA. A 2012 Southland Conference second-team honoree, he led the Roadrunners with a .307 batting average, 11 doubles, nine home runs and 42 RBIs last season. Dalton also paced the squad with a .495 slugging percentage and a dozen multiple RBI contests.

The consensus 2010 Freshman All-American and Southland Freshman of the Year ranks fifth in the school annals with 36 home runs and 142 RBIs and he holds program frosh records with 17 round-trippers and 51 RBIs. His 324 total bases translate to a career .531 slugging percentage.

He is the third player in program history to reach the highest level of the minor leagues. Outfielders Sean Danielson (Pawtucket Red Sox from 2008-09) and Michael Rockett (Toldeo Med Hens in 2009) are the others.